i was wondering which model of the 700 series at what year came for the first time with a real 5 speed - i have an '87 740 turbo wagon with an M46 and OD transmission (i'd like to have one with a real 5 speed)

There were a handful of M47's put into 740 Turbo's in 1987. If you find one it is very rare. But as John said below only about 3% of all Volvos came with manuals. I swapped out my AW71 for a M47. Couldn't find a M46 out od a 700 at the time to do the conversion so had to settle for the M47. I know there is a lot of bad mouthing of the M47 on the Volvo boards. What I have found is I have had ZERO problems with my transmission. It has close to 200K miles on it. The last 45K have been behind a B230FT with the boost turned up to 14.5 PSI. Still shifts very smooth and no bearing noise. The more people bad mouth the M47's the cheaper I and the few others that like them on this board will be able to buy them. Internally the first four gears are exactly alike. The difference is the M46 has the Electric OD with final ratio of .78 and the M47 has the 5th gear with a final ratio of .80 or .82. Can't seem to get a straight answer on which final ratio is in the transmission. Now there were problems with the early first generation M47's. But from what I have heard non were ever exported to North America. We only got the later 2nd generation M47 that was the stronger unit. From the Volvo Techs I have talked to that have been working on Volvo's 20 plus years, they find no more problems with the M47 over the M46. Just make sure the transmission fluid is kept at the proper level in the M47 due to the 5th gear being high in the case.

wanna trade?!?!?!

I've got 3 M47s and need 2 m46od lol

My site gives the model years for that and other info. I am missing non-North America data and, as always, take the info with a grain of salt.

Bill
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Volvo Info Site 1990 745GLE 16valve

the m47 5 speed started in 87 in the 740s and in 88-240s. you may have to change the drive shaft. i think the m47 used a different coupling for the drive shaft. you are better off with the m46 od, they are bullet proof compared to the m47s. good luck, chuck.

The 87-91 regular model 740's had the M47 true 5-speed available.
1992's were made for the US, as all 940's, only with automatics.

The turbo models all had the M46 4-spd+OD transmission, and as I'm sure you're aware, are a pretty rare car in this country.
The M47 can be mounted to an M46 equipped car with relatively little difficulty- if you consider removing a transmission not difficult. Supposedly it's not as strong as the M46. In a normal Turbo, it's probably fine. IF the engine were modified, it may be best to stick to the original, tough M46.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 225K, 88 744GLE- 209K, 91 244 183K. Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 229K, 88 244GL, 146K, 87 244DL, 235K, 88 245DL, 236K

Is the 745T/M46 rare? Should I jack up the price when I sell it this Spring? I was gonna ask $3000.

you have to find the right buyer for a m46 turbo. most people buying a volvo will downplay the trans. it might be as rare as a 69 firebird trans am, but not that desirable. what will sell your car is a good history of oil changes, no rust, etc. good luck, chuck.

Where I live, in the Pacific Northwest, turbo 740s with M46 sell fast regardless of history. Not so in other regions of the US.
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john

Wanna buy mine, John? Will trade for a super-nice '83-84 245/M46/B23F.

I already have an M46/OD equipped 1987 745T. Wife has a 1986 745T with M46/OD. Son drives a 1984 760T with M46/OD. Daughter drives a 1983 244T with M46/OD. And, I have two more which I need to sell.
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john

are any of the ones you need to sell n/a 245's?

The M46/OD came in only about 3% of the turbo 700 series. The percentage was higher in earlier years, and lower in later years. The M46 is highly sought after in the Pacific Northwest, and undesireable in southern California (traffic jams).
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john